LUBBOCK, Texas. – Olympic medalists Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold are back on home soil after their successes in Paris and ready to maintain momentum at the Chinook Seedery USA Archery Target Nationals & U.S. Open.
Greeted by well-wishers offering congratulatory words during practice rounds, the pair both claimed the Target Nationals title last year but fell short in the U.S. Open. Ellison went out via a one arrow shootoff in the quarterfinals, whereas Kaufhold was beaten to gold by 15-year-old Akshara Vijay, who is back this week to defend her title.
The recurve men’s defending champion is Jack Williams, who will face tough opposition from the likes of Ellison, Trenton Cowles, Jackson Mirich, Alex Gilliam, Matthew Nofel, Christian Stoddard, Jacob Wukie and Justin Huish.
As well as Ellison and Kaufhold, fellow-Olympians Catalina GNoriega and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez are also in Lubbock, as are members of the Paralympic team Eric Bennett, Tracy otto, Jason Tabansky and Jordan White. They depart for Paris next week, with the Games starting on August 28 with the opening ceremony.
In the compound division, last year’s U.S. Open champion for the men, James Lutz, will seek a repeat. Silver medalist Kris Schaff will be keen to go one better than 12 months ago. The women’s top seed from 2023, Paige Pearce, lost out to Tanja Gellenthien who misses the event this year to focus on the arrival of a first baby. Alexis Ruiz, Olivia Dean, Carson Krahe and Liko Arreola are among a host of top talent sure to be pushing Pearce over the coming days.
Francesca Benavidez surprised many by claiming the U.S. Open win in the barebow women, just a mere months after taking up the sport. Cindy Czako, winner of three USAT Qualifier Series events this year, as well as Buckeye Classic champion Diane Cochran and Indoor Nationals gold medalist Maggie Brensinger, will all be vying for top spot in the Lone Star State.
Last year’s U.S. Open silver medalist in barebow men, Matt Yacca, returns in 2024. He will face a field that includes Gator Cup champion Brian Way, plus Gator Cup and Buckeye Classic silver medalist Alex de Vera, along with Arizona Cup champion Marcus Cooley.
The masters division across barebow, compound and recurve will be equally competitive. Ron Gosnell, fresh from success at the Buckeye Classic in recurve 50+ men, faces stiff opposition in the form of Mark Hainline, Ted Holland, Thomas Stevenson and Larry Anderson.
Lori Cieslinski won recurve 50+ women at Buckeye and is also in attendance for Outdoor Nationals. So too is top seed and silver medalist from the final USAT event of 2024, Jamie McCarrison and bronze medalist Janis Grellner.
In compound 50+ men, Kenneth Brunko will have his eyes on gold in the U.S. Open. He took silver last year, when defeated by Tim Gillingham. Gillingham now competes in the senior division.
Spanky Brooks was top seed and silver medalist in barebow 50+ men last year. This year he is competing in the senior division but last year’s U.S. Open gold medalist, Rick Stonebraker, is back to defend his crown, with competition coming from the likes of Richard Barker – bronze medalist last year.
In barebow 50+ women, Cheri Gandy took bronze in the Target Nationals last time out, but came through to take gold as third seed in the U.S. Open. She beat top seed Sabrina Harrigan on that occasion. Harrigan will be seeking revenge in her home state. Bronze medalist from 2023, Lisa Sullivan, has also returned.
The 2024 Chinook Seedery USA Archery Target Nationals & U.S. Open begins on Thursday with qualification rounds in the morning, followed by Mixed Team competition in the afternoon.
The compound, barebow and recurve senior gold medal matches in the U.S. Open will be broadcast live on USA Archery’s Facebook and You Tube channel from 2pm CT on Saturday.
Keep up to date with latest scores and results on BetweenEnds. There will also be photos at the end of each session.
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